Washington, D.C. – With the midterm elections just two months away, Democrats continue to lead the Reuters/Ipsos generic congressional ballot. Among registered voters, 44% would vote for a Democrat, and 35% for a Republicans- a nine-point advantage for Democrats. Thirty-eight percent of all Americans would vote for a Democratic candidate if the elections were held today, compared to 31% who would vote for a Republican candidate. While most Americans disapprove of the way Congress as a whole is handling its job (64%), more people approve (41%) than disapprove (32%) of the way their Congressperson is handling their job as Representative.

With election season in full swing, President Trump’s approval rating stands at 42% among registered voters and 40% among all Americans– virtually unchanged from last week (40% and 38% respectively). Perceptions of Trump’s performance are driven by partisanship with just 9% of Democrats approving, compared to 84% of Republicans and 38% of Independents. On specific issues, Trump has the highest approval ratings among all adult Americans when it comes employment and jobs (49%), the U.S. economy (48%) and dealing with ISIS/ISIL (46%).

More than half of Americans (54%) think the country is on the wrong track, while just a third (33%) believe it is heading in the right direction. The biggest issues for Americans remain healthcare (18%), immigration (14%) and the economy generally (11%). As mentioned above, nearly half of Americans approve how Trump is handling the economy and jobs. However, just 40% of Americans approve of his handling of healthcare reform, and 42% approve of his handling of immigration.

About this Study

These are findings from an Ipsos poll conducted for Thomson Reuters between August 29-September 4, 2018. For the survey, a sample of 2,386 Americans, including 2,012 registered voters, 867 Democrats, 801 Republicans, and 231 Independents ages 18+ were interviewed online. The precision of the Reuters/Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 2.3 percentage points for all adults, 2.5 percentage points for registered voters, 3.8 percentage points for Democrats, 3.9 percentage points for Republicans, and 7.4 percentage points for Independents. For more information about credibility intervals, please see the appendix.

The data were weighted to the U.S. current population data by gender, age, education, and ethnicity. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online non-probability polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Figures marked by an asterisk (*) indicate a percentage value of greater than zero but less than one half of one per cent. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to the effects of rounding. To see more information on this and other Reuters/Ipsos polls, please visit http://polling.reuters.com/.

The data were weighted to the U.S. current population data by gender, age, education, and ethnicity. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Figures marked by an asterisk (*) indicate a percentage value of greater than zero but less than one half of one per cent. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to the effects of rounding. To see more information on this and other Reuters/Ipsos polls, please visit http://polling.reuters.com/.

About Ipsos Public Affairs

Ipsos Public Affairs is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research practice made up of seasoned professionals. We conduct strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based not only on public opinion research, but elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research.

Ipsos has media partnerships with the most prestigious news organizations around the world. In Canada, the U.S., UK, and internationally, Ipsos Public Affairs is the media polling supplier to Reuters News, the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Ipsos Public Affairs is a member of the Ipsos Group, a leading global survey-based market research company. We provide boutique-style customer service and work closely with our clients, while also undertaking global research.

About Ipsos

Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. Ipsos ranks fourth in the global research industry.

With offices in 89 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across five research specializations: brand, advertising and media; customer loyalty; marketing; public affairs research; and survey management.

Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of €1,780.5 million in 2017.